As the keyword gaze has several different meanings behind the simple word, in this instance gaze refers to the lens through which the viewer observes the media from. For example, in many movies, the male gaze is placed into perspective to make the males feel they have a superiority complex that entitles them. However, this is far from the real truth. Often women are known to be the cooks and cleaners while the men work, putting a male gaze on the roles of life, and yet many males are better cooks than women and women are better at desk jobs than housework. Another example is on social media such as Instagram. Through posts, there is a gaze on the content put onto the app and distorts people’s realities. Like some influencers such as Kim Kardashian, as people edit and morph their bodies, an unrealistic gaze is cast upon these images and put unrealistic images into users’ heads. The keyword gaze can have both a negative and positive connotation, it just depends on who and what is it being used with.
5 thoughts on “Gwen Savidge: Gaze”
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I like how you were able to connect “gaze” to a variety of relatable real world examples. I agree that the recent introduction of intense editing on social media posts has had a major impact on how people view themselves or how confident they are in the way they look. These photos project unrealistic and unattainable standards that are very difficult to meet. If these posts continue to be released onto the internet, more and more people are going to feel as though they will have to take part in editing their photos to this extent as well.
Although, you are correct in saying media depictions through a male gaze do not always reflect reality, it is interesting to consider the play between the two. Although more “gazes” have appeared in media over time the change has yet to fully reflect the diversity of identities in the real world. Media created for the “male gaze” not only reflects the patriarchal ideas of our society, but also reinforces them. Therefore it is even more important to diversify the “gazes” which we consume in everyday media.
I completely agree that the male gaze in the media has greatly impacted the way our society views gender roles. The stereotypical gender roles have been displayed throughout many different forms of media including films and shows. I also like how you connected this keyword to social media. The point you made about a distortion of reality shows how gaze continues to have an impact on our society today. It is unfortunate that some people within our society are unaware of this distortion, showing how gaze can have an extremely negative effect. Also, these unrealistic images of famous celebrities attract a specific gaze, which is one that is not meant to uplift young women and instead make them question themselves.
I think that your definition of gaze in relation to other elements gives the exact definition of the keyword gaze unlike the most renowned form of gendered gaze which we have come to know as the female gaze. I think it is also very interesting how you were able to relate it to social media and how the social media gaze continues to reflect in our lives.
I like how you connected the word gaze to multiple different elements. The idea of an unrealistic gaze is interesting. Just like your example of the Kardashians, there are a plethora of Instagram and TikTok models who present an unrealistic image of body types for young girls on these apps. This is an example of where gaze can be harmful, especially for people who are unaware that these images can be photoshopped and edited.